(019) Exploring the North-West Stair

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:29 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
Pelenwin, Dieter, Ulric, Highbough and Mads are here.

Pelenwin tramps down the narrow stair without fear, his mail rattling with each step. Dieter comes next, his mail coat also shunking at each foot fall. The daylight from above quickly vanishes as the company descends, and by the time Pelenwin turns the next right-angle bend, only Ulric's orange lantern light illuminates the cramped stair well.

Highbough follows Ulric down the stair into darkness, and last comes Mads.

These steep stone treads descend farther into darkness that the tower was tall, turning thrice at right angles during the descent, but at last Pelenwin sets foot on a landing where the stair goes no deeper.

It is a musty, cramped space all of crumbling old stone. A pair of rats scurry into a fist-sized sized crevice along the wall as Pelenwin enters the space and approaches a closed, iron bound door -- the only way forward.

There is scarcely room for Dieter to move onto the landing, and the others are still behind him on the stair as Pelenwin reaches the door.

"Have a care," hisses Ulric quietly from three steps up stair -- his voice no louder than the crackling flame in his lantern...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:29 am

waysoftheearth wrote:

tombowings wrote:"Pst," Mads," whispers Pelenwin, "go find the others. They won't want to miss this."

Pelenwin, then bends down to listen quietly at the door.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:50 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
Mads is in the vanguard, and scarcely hears Pelenwin's whisper from where he is, still around a corner and a dozen steps up the steep stair.

Oblivious to this, Pelenwin removes his tall helm with both hands so that he might better listen at the door, and then tucks it under one arms. He bends down somewhat and presses one side of his head against the rough wood of the portal, and listens...

(1d6)

He hears the vague rising and falling moan of the wind outside, the subtle hiss of Ulric's lantern fire, and the quiet creak of leather and jangle of mail from the breathing of five armed Men in the stair well. From beyond the stout door there is no discernible sound...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:14 pm

mushgnome wrote:
Once Highbough has returned Dieter's grappling hook, he will return to the top of the wall to stand watch.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:32 pm

tombowings wrote:
"Doesn't sounds like anyone's in there," whispers Pelenwin, "just to be safe, ready you weapons."

After his comrades are in place, Pelenwin will give the door a good solid kick and hopefully burst it open.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:11 am

waysoftheearth wrote:

mushgnome wrote:Once Highbough has returned Dieter's grappling hook, he will return to the top of the wall to stand watch.

Having already passed Dieter's rope and grappling hook back, Highbough turns around and squeezes past Mads on the narrow stair so that he can climb back up to the tower-top...

He puffs and wheezes his way up the steep stair (his constitution not being what it was when he was younger), though it gets dark as he moves around the corner from Ulric's lantern fire... but he sees gloomy daylight ahead, and soon stands swooning upon the roof once more -- all out of breath for a moment.

The day seems blustery and bright for a moment before his rheumy eyes adjust... and then he sees naught but the canyon, the opposite keep, and the barren ravine lands all around. There is no sign of any activity...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:43 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
Meanwhile, Pelenwin is done with subtlety and -- ignoring the perfectly good door handle before him -- stamps his heavy booted foot forcefully into the solid looking portal...

(1d6=6!)

...busting it inward as though it were naught but a flimsy barn door! Splintered wood scatters into the dark and dusty room within...

Ulric leans closer so that his lantern light is cast into the shadowy chamber, revealing an oblique shaped chamber perhaps 30ft wide... it appears utterly devoid of any movement...

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:28 pm

tombowings wrote:
"Um...," says Pelenwin, walking into the room," I guess that was a little overdramatic."

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:20 am

danhem wrote:
"Next time, just turn the knob," Ulric says to Pelenwin.

Ulric follows behind the others in order to illuminate the room with his lantern. There is no sign of danger yet, but he keeps his sword and spells ready all the same.

Post by **waysoftheearth** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:22 am

waysoftheearth wrote:
Pelenwin moves into the chamber, followed by Dieter, and then Ulric with his lantern. Mads is behind, and Highbough has gone up to the tower top...

The close, stone chamber might be 40ft across lengthwise, and 30ft across widthwise, but it is oddly angled and the ceiling is low. It feels rather cramped, considering its size. Ahead and to Pelenwin's right a large weapon rack takes up most of the wall space. It might hold two dozen spears and as many swords if it were fully stocked, but alas there are but three dusty old spears still standing in it.

More or less opposite the weapon rack, to Pelenwin's left, a closed portculis blocks off a sour smelling tunnel that vanishes into cool darkness.

There are also two other closed doors from the room.